Sediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13

Marine Pollution Bulletin
By: , and 

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Abstract

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Barnegat Bay, October, 29, 2012, damaging shorelines and infrastructure. Estuarine sediment chemistry and toxicity were investigated before and after to evaluate potential environmental health impacts and to establish post-event baseline sediment-quality conditions. Trace element concentrations increased throughout Barnegat Bay up to two orders of magnitude, especially north of Barnegat Inlet, consistent with northward redistribution of silt. Loss of organic compounds, clay, and organic carbon is consistent with sediment winnowing and transport through the inlets and sediment transportmodeling results. The number of sites exceeding sediment quality guidance levels for trace elements tripled post-Sandy. Sediment toxicity post-Sandy was mostly unaffected relative to pre-Sandy conditions, but at the site with the greatest relative increase for trace elements, survival rate of the test amphipod decreased (indicating degradation). This study would not have been possible without comprehensive baseline data enabling the evaluation of storm-derived changes in sediment quality.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Sediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13
Series title Marine Pollution Bulletin
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.018
Volume 107
Issue 2
Year Published 2016
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) New Jersey Water Science Center, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 17 p.
First page 472
Last page 488
Country United States
State New Jersey
Other Geospatial Barnegat Bay estuary
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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